Chamberlain leaves with tight shoulder

■ Chicago Cubs closer Kerry Wood will come off the 15-day DL in the next couple of days after a long stay because of a blister on his right index finger. Sidelined since July 11, Wood couldn't get the blister to heal until recently.

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”I tried just about everything. Then the last thing we tried seemed to work well,“ Wood said Monday without explaining the procedure.

Manager Lou Piniella said Wood would be used in middle relief the first time he returns to the mound and then resume the closer's role when he's ready.

Season over for A's Chavez

■ Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez will have surgery to repair fraying of the labrum in his right shoulder next week, ending his season after he played in just 23 games.

”He's been dealing with this shoulder problem for a long time,“ assistant general manager David Forst said.

Chavez batted .247 with two homers and 14 RBI in 89 at-bats this season.

Pedroia nears Speaker's streak

Dustin Pedroia had a double and two singles Monday night, extending his road hitting streak to 25 games — the most by a Boston player since Hall of Famer Tris Speaker 95 years ago.

Pedroia's streak, which started May 31 at Baltimore, is Boston's longest since Speaker hit in 29 straight road games in 1913. Nomar Garciaparra had a 24-game run in 1998.

More recently, Luis Castillo had a 27-game road streak for Florida in 2002. Johnny Temple hit in 33 straight away games for Cleveland from 1960-61. Pedroia was 3-for-4 and raised his average to .401 over the last 43 games.

Harang sharp in rehab start

Reds right-hander Aaron Harang threw six shutout innings in a rehab start with the Louisville Bats on Monday. He allowed five hits, struck out six and did not walk a batter in the 11-0 victory over the Toledo Mud Hens at Louisville Slugger Field. Harang has been on the DL since July 9 with a strained right forearm.

New York Yankees starter Joba Chamberlain was removed from the game Monday night against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning with what the club announced was a stiff right shoulder.

Trailing 5-4 in the fifth, Chamberlain gave up a two-out single to Marlon Byrd. When Chamberlain got back on the mound, assistant trainer Steve Donohue and Manager Joe Girardi ran onto the field to check on Chamberlain, who could not continue.

Giambi's mustache gone for now

Jason Giambi arrived in the Yankees clubhouse Monday without his famous mustache. Giambi has been slumping, hitting .234 with three homers in July and going 0-for-9 through three August games. But he kept the facial hair because the team was still winning. ”In about a week, it will be back,“ he said.